The Booker Prize is arguably one of the most significant literary accolades in the English-speaking world, a beacon that shines a light on fiction’s most compelling voices. For writers, making the longlist – the esteemed “Booker Dozen” – is a career-defining moment, a testament to months, if not years, of dedicated craft. This year, theContinue reading “The Booker Dozen: The Authors Behind the 2025 Longlist”
Tag Archives: fiction
The Art of Storytelling: Granta’s Enduring Impact
Granta has, for over a century, been a vital home for new writing, a mirror reflecting societal shifts, and a launchpad for some of the most significant voices in contemporary literature. From its unassuming beginnings as a student publication to its current stature as an international literary powerhouse, Granta‘s journey is a compelling narrative ofContinue reading “The Art of Storytelling: Granta’s Enduring Impact”
The Authentic Blur: Navigating Memoir, Autofiction, and the Quest for Truth in Personal Narrative
Introduction: The Evolving Landscape of Personal Narrative The contemporary literary landscape has undergone a profound transformation, witnessing a significant rise in the prominence of personal narrative forms. This includes the enduring appeal of traditional memoir and the emergence of autofiction as a compelling, yet often controversial, genre.1 These narrative modes collectively challenge conventional notions ofContinue reading “The Authentic Blur: Navigating Memoir, Autofiction, and the Quest for Truth in Personal Narrative”
Your World, Your Rules
The Art of World-Building The art of world-building, often thought of as something only for fantasy stories filled with dragons and magic, is an essential skill for any writer creating a fictional world. Whether you’re crafting a futuristic galaxy in science fiction, a meticulously detailed past in historical fiction, or even a subtly altered versionContinue reading “Your World, Your Rules”
The Gravity of Words: Insights from Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’
As writers, we continually seek inspiration, new techniques, and fresh perspectives to push the boundaries of our craft. Every so often, a novel emerges that challenges our preconceptions about storytelling, structure, and genre. Samantha Harvey’s Orbital, the groundbreaking 2024 Booker Prize winner, is precisely such a book. Hailed as “slim, powerful, and uplifting,” and oftenContinue reading “The Gravity of Words: Insights from Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’”
Crafting Characters That Stick: Psychology for Writers
Creating characters that resonate with readers is key to a compelling story. Ever wondered how authors manage to make fictional individuals feel so alive? The secret often involves grounding characters in psychological depth. We’ll explore how a basic understanding of psychology can be a powerful tool for crafting memorable characters. Forget dense textbooks; we’ll focusContinue reading “Crafting Characters That Stick: Psychology for Writers”
Forging Worlds from Broken Shards: What Writers Can Learn from N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Trilogy
N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Trilogy isn’t just a significant work of speculative fiction; it’s a great example of narrative craft and thematic depth. Made up of The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, and The Stone Sky, the series managed the impressive feat of each book winning the Hugo Award for Best Novel. For writersContinue reading “Forging Worlds from Broken Shards: What Writers Can Learn from N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Trilogy”
Asako Yuzuki’s ‘Butter’: A Feast of Feminism, Food, and Unsettling Truths
Asako Yuzuki’s novel, Butter, has captivated readers with its unsettling premise and achieved remarkable accolades, including the Waterstones Book of the Year 2024. Yet, to see Butter merely as a sensational, food-centric crime novel would be to miss the rich, complex, and often provocative tapestry Yuzuki weaves. It’s an invitation into a world where culinaryContinue reading “Asako Yuzuki’s ‘Butter’: A Feast of Feminism, Food, and Unsettling Truths”
Navigating Exile, Memory, and Connection: An In-Depth Look at Hisham Matar’s “My Friends”
Hisham Matar, a literary voice shaped by profound experiences of exile and a deep engagement with art, has once again captivated readers with his latest novel, “My Friends.” Published in January 2024, this work delves into the lives of three Libyan friends navigating the complexities of displacement in London, against the backdrop of significant historicalContinue reading “Navigating Exile, Memory, and Connection: An In-Depth Look at Hisham Matar’s “My Friends””
The Reimagined River: Percival Everett, James, and the Dialogue with American Literary History
Percival Everett’s novel James arrived not merely as another publication but as a significant literary and cultural event, marked by widespread acclaim and prestigious accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award. Its publication by Doubleday in 2024 ignited immediate discussion, fueled by its provocative and necessary premise: a radical reimaginingContinue reading “The Reimagined River: Percival Everett, James, and the Dialogue with American Literary History”
The Original Writers Group 